I just want to have fun, says Lucy Li
California pupil, whose family is from Hong Kong, shrugs off the pressure of being the youngest qualifier for the US Women's Open
In pigtails and polka dots, pint-sized Lucy Li displayed plenty of poise as she talked about taking on the US Women's Open at the age of 11.
The California sixth-grader, whose family is from Hong Kong, is the youngest qualifier in the history of the event, but Lucy said it would not put her under pressure this week at Pinehurst.
"The perfect week … I just want to go out there and have fun and play the best I can and I really don't care about the outcome," she said. "It's just I want to have fun and learn. I want to learn a lot from these great players."
Lucy did not think she would be intimidated by the crowds that she is sure to draw this week. She has already appeared at one of golf's iconic venues this year, winning the 10-11 girls age group in the inaugural Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Augusta National in April.
"It's awesome, right? I mean, Pinehurst and Augusta National in, like, two months. I mean, that's just amazing. It's mind-blowing for me."
Lucy booked her place in the second women's major of the year when she shot 68 at Half Moon Bay in California last month to win her sectional by seven shots. She celebrated by having dinner at her favourite restaurant and watching The Amazing Spiderman 2.